Because headaches are considered a neurological condition, they are often treated by neurologists. However, several other kinds of medical professionals specialize in treating headaches, including chiropractors. While it may come as a surprise, chiropractors are one of the leading medical professionals when it comes to treating headaches. Their knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, especially around the neck and shoulders, allows them to diagnose and treat headaches in a holistic manner and can treat the root of the problem rather than just its symptoms.

There are several signs and symptoms of headaches that indicate it is time to see a specialist, including:

– Headaches that occur more often than usual
– Headaches that are more severe than usual
– Symptoms that worsen or do not improve with appropriate use of over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen or aspirin
– Pain so intense it disrupts sleep, interferes with work, and/or makes it difficult to participate in normal activities
– Symptoms that cause regular or persistent distress

If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms and want to better control your headaches with proven treatment options, you may benefit from seeing a headache specialist, such as a chiropractor.

Headache pain may be serious if it:

– Is sudden and very intense
– Is severe or sharp
– Is a new type of pain
– Accompanies a stiff neck and fever
– Accompanies a fever higher than 104°F
– Occurs alongside nausea and vomiting
– Occurs alongside a nosebleed
– Causes fainting
– Causes dizziness or loss of balance

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention, as they could indicate a serious medical situation.

Almost all types of headaches activate the same kind of pain receptors which can make it difficult to know whether headache pain is a sign of a serious condition or not. Serious causes of headache pain include:

Hemorrhagic (Bleeding) Stroke — A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds; it is considered a medical emergency.

Aneurysm — A bulge or ballooning blood vessel in the brain caused by a weakening of the arterial wall, an aneurysm is a serious medical emergency that must be addressed immediately.

Meningitis — When the protective lining of the brain, known as the meninges, becomes infected, it is called meningitis, which is often the result of a bacterial or viral infection. This causes swelling in the meninges, and can present severe headache pain.

Brain Tumor — A primary brain tumor, which begins in the brain, can cause serious headache symptoms; these tumors can be either cancerous or noncancerous.

All of the causes of headaches listed above are serious medical emergencies that should be addressed as soon as possible; if you are experiencing symptoms related to any of these conditions, seek immediate medical attention.

If you are experiencing headaches, come to TRUE Health Medical for treatment you can trust. Our medical professionals specialize in treating headaches and can help you find relief from even the most severe pain. We have two locations in Gilbert, Arizona to better serve you: one on E Baseline Road and one on S Val Vista Drive. We serve patients from Gilbert AZ, Chandler AZ, Queen Creek AZ, Sun Lakes AZ, Mesa AZ, Sacaton AZ, and Apache Junction AZ. We look forward to serving you!